49 Years Ago Today ...

[franco>madden]

... the sold-out crowd at Three Rivers Stadium and millions of viewers via NBC witnessed The Immaculate Reception, the greatest single NFL play of ALL TAHM!!

Can't believe next year will be the golden 50th Anniversary --- I wonder if any special ceremonies will be planned? Hopefully there'll be a looped broadcast on a giant 4K screen into wherever John Madden happens to be hanging out that day

Meanwhile, enjoy again, fellas ... God Bless Franco Harris!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dHIXFKrrUhA

[Stosh-67]

That last endzone shot in that video.
Franco is still in the backfield looking to help block and protect Terry.
Had the sense enough after Terry scrambled and wound -up to pass..............
to take off down field in the direction of the pass.

I think Franco talked about this.

Two of the greatest plays in NFL history.
The Immaculate Reception and
James Harrisons pick 6.

[Texas Black & Gold]

That was indeed the greatest play ever. I think the Steelers will need another this season.

Franco talking about it on twitter.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1474047227647737858

A lot of firsts.

[K_C_]

I was so pissed I walked out of the room when the ball hit Jack Tatum.

Heard my parents screaming and ran back in.

Missed the goddamn Immaculate Reception live.

[bradshaw2ben]

The fact that the camera coverage was so poor both led to the controversy that spiced this up for years AND kept Franco from getting his just due. If we had had a full view of what he did on the play in reference to the rest of the field, it would be even more ridiculous than it seems. He basically didn't even start running until Brad was winding up and he caught a deflection from a 35-yard pass that he was still 15 yards away from when the ball was tipped. THEN, after shoetop catching the thing while running, he cranked it into high gear to make it into the end zone, barely... outrunning the safety who had the angle on him. All on a play where his job was "to block the rushing LB".

I love that three of the four greatest plays in Steelers history: Immaculate Reception, Harrison Pick 6, & Immaculate tackle all involved somebody not doing the job they planned on doing at the beginning of the play.

[jeemie]

The fact that the camera coverage was so poor both led to the controversy that spiced this up for years AND kept Franco from getting his just due. If we had had a full view of what he did on the play in reference to the rest of the field, it would be even more ridiculous than it seems. He basically didn't even start running until Brad was winding up and he caught a deflection from a 35-yard pass that he was still 15 yards away from when the ball was tipped. THEN, after shoetop catching the thing while running, he cranked it into high gear to make it into the end zone, barely... outrunning the safety who had the angle on him. All on a play where his job was "to block the rushing LB".

I love that three of the four greatest plays in Steelers history: Immaculate Reception, Harrison Pick 6, & Immaculate tackle all involved somebody not doing the job they planned on doing at the beginning of the play.

Actually the Harrison Pick 6 DID involve Harrison doing what he planned on doing at the beginning of the play.

It was not what LEBEAU planned for Harrison to be doing, but it was what HARRISON planned to be doing.

As soon as he saw the play, his mind flashed back to the Chargers running something similar that resulted in a TD to the player he let run free as he pass rushed, so this time he decided to drop back.

[MJG75]

I was so pissed I walked out of the room when the ball hit Jack Tatum.

Heard my parents screaming and ran back in.

Missed the goddamn Immaculate Reception live.

You and The Chief both. He went down to congratulate our guys for a great season despite the loss he thought was going to occur.

Wow. 49 years. Hard to believe it's been that long.

I couldn't make the game but listened on the radio. I also thought the game was over but listened to the end. I already practiced doing so, but a great lesson of this game is to never give up. No matter what, no matter the odds. As a player, as a fan, as a human.

It was the greatest play in NFL history. Period. Thanks, B2B, for noting some of those elements that went into making it the greatest play that it is. The long term historical and transformational impacts are also part of it. I do miss seeing the Fat Fuck Madden go apoplectic every time the anniversary date came up on MNF.

[Pabst]

I was so pissed I walked out of the room when the ball hit Jack Tatum.

Heard my parents screaming and ran back in.

Missed the goddamn Immaculate Reception live.

If it makes you feel any better, my old neighbor was at the game and left early

[bradshaw2ben]

In case any random Raiders fan or the occasional actual Raiders sore loser tries to tell you the ball hit Fuqua, show them this:

1E64300A-E74D-4C98-99B6-792F92F718F9.jpeg (158.56 KiB) Viewed 4070 times

B4188370-7CA9-4302-B852-416F1BDD1B00.png (5.47 MiB) Viewed 4070 times

[bradshaw2ben]

I posted these pictures on Twitter and Phil Villipiano's daughter and then Phil himself engaged me in the conversation. Good stuff.

[Jobu]

In case any random Raiders fan or the occasional actual Raiders sore loser tries to tell you the ball hit Fuqua, show them this:
1E64300A-E74D-4C98-99B6-792F92F718F9.jpeg
B4188370-7CA9-4302-B852-416F1BDD1B00.png

Upon further review….

[Who Dee Knee]

I remember The Immaculate Reception clear as yesterday.

It was confusing to watch live on television, because Tatum, who was a heavy hitter, smacked the ball out of the camera shot. The game appeared over. Then the crowd roared, and Franco sped through the secondary.

I remember Curt Gowdy added to the confusion by shouting “picked off”, as if there had been an interception.

The officials didn’t immediately rule it a touchdown. The Referee actually went into the baseball dugout and called someone!

[swissvale72]

I was there, in da house at TRS, and any of you who who were living in Pittsburgh and said you watched it on tv, no you didn't, cuz it was blacked out locally. You listened on the fuckin radio, as did most pittsburghers. The game was broadcast on channel 2, following the 11 o'clock news.

[Lynch]

I was there, in da house at TRS, and any of you who who were living in Pittsburgh and said you watched it on tv, no you didn't, cuz it was blacked out locally. You listened on the fuckin radio, as did most pittsburghers. The game was broadcast on channel 2, following the 11 o'clock news.

Were you still in the stands watching?

[COR-TEN]

I was there, in da house at TRS, and any of you who who were living in Pittsburgh and said you watched it on tv, no you didn't, cuz it was blacked out locally. You listened on the fuckin radio, as did most pittsburghers. The game was broadcast on channel 2, following the 11 o'clock news.

^^^

[RemoAZ]

That was indeed the greatest play ever. I think the Steelers will need another this season.

Franco talking about it on twitter.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1474047227647737858

A lot of firsts.

Wow I didn't know it was literally the start of it all. Thanks for sharing!

[RemoAZ]

The fact that the camera coverage was so poor both led to the controversy that spiced this up for years AND kept Franco from getting his just due. If we had had a full view of what he did on the play in reference to the rest of the field, it would be even more ridiculous than it seems. He basically didn't even start running until Brad was winding up and he caught a deflection from a 35-yard pass that he was still 15 yards away from when the ball was tipped. THEN, after shoetop catching the thing while running, he cranked it into high gear to make it into the end zone, barely... outrunning the safety who had the angle on him. All on a play where his job was "to block the rushing LB".

I love that three of the four greatest plays in Steelers history: Immaculate Reception, Harrison Pick 6, & Immaculate tackle all involved somebody not doing the job they planned on doing at the beginning of the play.

Actually the Harrison Pick 6 DID involve Harrison doing what he planned on doing at the beginning of the play.

It was not what LEBEAU planned for Harrison to be doing, but it was what HARRISON planned to be doing.

As soon as he saw the play, his mind flashed back to the Chargers running something similar that resulted in a TD to the player he let run free as he pass rushed, so this time he decided to drop back.

I'll go to the grave believing James was the MVP of that superbowl and that was the greatest play in SB history.

[MJG75]

I was there, in da house at TRS, and any of you who who were living in Pittsburgh and said you watched it on tv, no you didn't, cuz it was blacked out locally. You listened on the fuckin radio, as did most pittsburghers. The game was broadcast on channel 2, following the 11 o'clock news.

I still lived in the Burgh back then and could not make it. Family issue. But I hung on every play to the thrilling finish. Man, talk about a huge emotion swing. A total nail-biter. With our D you could see it ending 6-0 and I wanted it to as did all the 50,000 plus in that stadium,and countless others listening or watching. Then we go down. I had some glimmer of hope but my heart sunk. Just not enough time to go downfield that quickly. I remember when a 2 minute drill was a thing and actually required all that time to execute a drive. So yeah, my Grandpap, who was still alive back then, and I looked at each other and we already were talking about how we had a great year we have a lot of young talent, etc., when all of a sudden all hell breaks loose as Jack Fleming is going crazy!! We went from "oh well, get 'em next year" to "we just won the fucking Super Bowl!!" Incredulous! My friends who were able to go described it exactly as that: we just won the Suoer Bowl. Man great great memories!

[JackLambert58]

Happy belated Feast of the Immaculate Reception everyone. Check out the All-22 on the play. Definitely hits off Tatum and there's no trapping by Franco.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHYs0LN422Q

[swissvale72]

I was there, in da house at TRS, and any of you who who were living in Pittsburgh and said you watched it on tv, no you didn't, cuz it was blacked out locally. You listened on the fuckin radio, as did most pittsburghers. The game was broadcast on channel 2, following the 11 o'clock news.

I still lived in the Burgh back then and could not make it. Family issue. But I hung on every play to the thrilling finish. Man, talk about a huge emotion swing. A total nail-biter. With our D you could see it ending 6-0 and I wanted it to as did all the 50,000 plus in that stadium,and countless others listening or watching. Then we go down. I had some glimmer of hope but my heart sunk. Just not enough time to go downfield that quickly. I remember when a 2 minute drill was a thing and actually required all that time to execute a drive. So yeah, my Grandpap, who was still alive back then, and I looked at each other and we already were talking about how we had a great year we have a lot of young talent, etc., when all of a sudden all hell breaks loose as Jack Fleming is going crazy!! We went from "oh well, get 'em next year" to "we just won the fucking Super Bowl!!" Incredulous! My friends who were able to go described it exactly as that: we just won the Suoer Bowl. Man great great memories!

I'm sure you remember the details, MJG....but it was Daryle Lamonica at QB for Oakland until very late 4Q, when Ken Stabler came in....down 6-0, Raiders picked up a couple first downs on 4th down plays....then....from the Steeler 30, Craig Hanneman loses contain on a pass rush and Stabler runs for the TD. Hanneman by the way, is credited for inspiring the title of one of the greatest sports books of all time...."We're all crazy fuckers, were all about three bricks shy of a load."

I was in the stadium, first row in the endzone upper deck, behind the play, I see a collision, then nothing...then my brother's grabbing me, screaming, "He's got it, he's got it" TRS goes insane, then eerily quiet as there's no td signal, ref goes into the dugout for what seems an eternity, trots out to the 50, faces the steelers sideline, signals touchdown....place goes fuckin' BERSERK....AGAIN!!!l Raiders sideline, the fat fuck john madden having a major tantrum, waving his fat arms, his long hair all over the place. HAHAHA fuck you, you fat fuck!!! What a scene!! What a memory!!

Postgame, chatham center parking garage, the guerilla from gerela's guerillas is parkekd behind us....and i fuckin swear to god, gets in his car, guerilla head still on, and drives off....bob bubonic....like the plague, i think, was his name.

[Jobu]

Happy belated Feast of the Immaculate Reception everyone. Check out the All-22 on the play. Definitely hits off Tatum and there's no trapping by Franco.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHYs0LN422Q

Anyone else get a strong Zapruder film vibe outta that clip?

[Greeksteel]

I was there, in da house at TRS, and any of you who who were living in Pittsburgh and said you watched it on tv, no you didn't, cuz it was blacked out locally. You listened on the fuckin radio, as did most pittsburghers. The game was broadcast on channel 2, following the 11 o'clock news.

I still lived in the Burgh back then and could not make it. Family issue. But I hung on every play to the thrilling finish. Man, talk about a huge emotion swing. A total nail-biter. With our D you could see it ending 6-0 and I wanted it to as did all the 50,000 plus in that stadium,and countless others listening or watching. Then we go down. I had some glimmer of hope but my heart sunk. Just not enough time to go downfield that quickly. I remember when a 2 minute drill was a thing and actually required all that time to execute a drive. So yeah, my Grandpap, who was still alive back then, and I looked at each other and we already were talking about how we had a great year we have a lot of young talent, etc., when all of a sudden all hell breaks loose as Jack Fleming is going crazy!! We went from "oh well, get 'em next year" to "we just won the fucking Super Bowl!!" Incredulous! My friends who were able to go described it exactly as that: we just won the Suoer Bowl. Man great great memories!

I'm sure you remember the details, MJG....but it was Daryle Lamonica at QB for Oakland until very late 4Q, when Ken Stabler came in....down 6-0, Raiders picked up a couple first downs on 4th down plays....then....from the Steeler 30, Craig Hanneman loses contain on a pass rush and Stabler runs for the TD. Hanneman by the way, is credited for inspiring the title of one of the greatest sports books of all time...."We're all crazy fuckers, were all about three bricks shy of a load."

I was in the stadium, first row in the endzone upper deck, behind the play, I see a collision, then nothing...then my brother's grabbing me, screaming, "He's got it, he's got it" TRS goes insane, then eerily quiet as there's no td signal, ref goes into the dugout for what seems an eternity, trots out to the 50, faces the steelers sideline, signals touchdown....place goes fuckin' BERSERK....AGAIN!!!l Raiders sideline, the fat fuck john madden having a major tantrum, waving his fat arms, his long hair all over the place. HAHAHA fuck you, you fat fuck!!! What a scene!! What a memory!!

Postgame, chatham center parking garage, the guerilla from gerela's guerillas is parkekd behind us....and i fuckin swear to god, gets in his car, guerilla head still on, and drives off....bob bubonic....like the plague, i think, was his name.

Great recaps fellas, i get goosebumps just envisioning the scene.

[swissvale72]

I still lived in the Burgh back then and could not make it. Family issue. But I hung on every play to the thrilling finish. Man, talk about a huge emotion swing. A total nail-biter. With our D you could see it ending 6-0 and I wanted it to as did all the 50,000 plus in that stadium,and countless others listening or watching. Then we go down. I had some glimmer of hope but my heart sunk. Just not enough time to go downfield that quickly. I remember when a 2 minute drill was a thing and actually required all that time to execute a drive. So yeah, my Grandpap, who was still alive back then, and I looked at each other and we already were talking about how we had a great year we have a lot of young talent, etc., when all of a sudden all hell breaks loose as Jack Fleming is going crazy!! We went from "oh well, get 'em next year" to "we just won the fucking Super Bowl!!" Incredulous! My friends who were able to go described it exactly as that: we just won the Suoer Bowl. Man great great memories!

I'm sure you remember the details, MJG....but it was Daryle Lamonica at QB for Oakland until very late 4Q, when Ken Stabler came in....down 6-0, Raiders picked up a couple first downs on 4th down plays....then....from the Steeler 30, Craig Hanneman loses contain on a pass rush and Stabler runs for the TD. Hanneman by the way, is credited for inspiring the title of one of the greatest sports books of all time...."We're all crazy fuckers, were all about three bricks shy of a load."

I was in the stadium, first row in the endzone upper deck, behind the play, I see a collision, then nothing...then my brother's grabbing me, screaming, "He's got it, he's got it" TRS goes insane, then eerily quiet as there's no td signal, ref goes into the dugout for what seems an eternity, trots out to the 50, faces the steelers sideline, signals touchdown....place goes fuckin' BERSERK....AGAIN!!!l Raiders sideline, the fat fuck john madden having a major tantrum, waving his fat arms, his long hair all over the place. HAHAHA fuck you, you fat fuck!!! What a scene!! What a memory!!

Postgame, chatham center parking garage, the guerilla from gerela's guerillas is parkekd behind us....and i fuckin swear to god, gets in his car, guerilla head still on, and drives off....bob bubonic....like the plague, i think, was his name.

Great recaps fellas, i get goosebumps just envisioning the scene.

More recently.....the Troy Pick 6 in the '08 AFCCG was damn close....as far as the stadium being bonkers!!

[Greeksteel]

I'm sure you remember the details, MJG....but it was Daryle Lamonica at QB for Oakland until very late 4Q, when Ken Stabler came in....down 6-0, Raiders picked up a couple first downs on 4th down plays....then....from the Steeler 30, Craig Hanneman loses contain on a pass rush and Stabler runs for the TD. Hanneman by the way, is credited for inspiring the title of one of the greatest sports books of all time...."We're all crazy fuckers, were all about three bricks shy of a load."

I was in the stadium, first row in the endzone upper deck, behind the play, I see a collision, then nothing...then my brother's grabbing me, screaming, "He's got it, he's got it" TRS goes insane, then eerily quiet as there's no td signal, ref goes into the dugout for what seems an eternity, trots out to the 50, faces the steelers sideline, signals touchdown....place goes fuckin' BERSERK....AGAIN!!!l Raiders sideline, the fat fuck john madden having a major tantrum, waving his fat arms, his long hair all over the place. HAHAHA fuck you, you fat fuck!!! What a scene!! What a memory!!

Postgame, chatham center parking garage, the guerilla from gerela's guerillas is parkekd behind us....and i fuckin swear to god, gets in his car, guerilla head still on, and drives off....bob bubonic....like the plague, i think, was his name.

Great recaps fellas, i get goosebumps just envisioning the scene.

More recently.....the Troy Pick 6 in the '08 AFCCG was damn close....as far as the stadium being bonkers!!

As it was in my abode

[MJG75]

I was there, in da house at TRS, and any of you who who were living in Pittsburgh and said you watched it on tv, no you didn't, cuz it was blacked out locally. You listened on the fuckin radio, as did most pittsburghers. The game was broadcast on channel 2, following the 11 o'clock news.

I still lived in the Burgh back then and could not make it. Family issue. But I hung on every play to the thrilling finish. Man, talk about a huge emotion swing. A total nail-biter. With our D you could see it ending 6-0 and I wanted it to as did all the 50,000 plus in that stadium,and countless others listening or watching. Then we go down. I had some glimmer of hope but my heart sunk. Just not enough time to go downfield that quickly. I remember when a 2 minute drill was a thing and actually required all that time to execute a drive. So yeah, my Grandpap, who was still alive back then, and I looked at each other and we already were talking about how we had a great year we have a lot of young talent, etc., when all of a sudden all hell breaks loose as Jack Fleming is going crazy!! We went from "oh well, get 'em next year" to "we just won the fucking Super Bowl!!" Incredulous! My friends who were able to go described it exactly as that: we just won the Suoer Bowl. Man great great memories!

I'm sure you remember the details, MJG....but it was Daryle Lamonica at QB for Oakland until very late 4Q, when Ken Stabler came in....down 6-0, Raiders picked up a couple first downs on 4th down plays....then....from the Steeler 30, Craig Hanneman loses contain on a pass rush and Stabler runs for the TD. Hanneman by the way, is credited for inspiring the title of one of the greatest sports books of all time...."We're all crazy fuckers, were all about three bricks shy of a load."

I was in the stadium, first row in the endzone upper deck, behind the play, I see a collision, then nothing...then my brother's grabbing me, screaming, "He's got it, he's got it" TRS goes insane, then eerily quiet as there's no td signal, ref goes into the dugout for what seems an eternity, trots out to the 50, faces the steelers sideline, signals touchdown....place goes fuckin' BERSERK....AGAIN!!!l Raiders sideline, the fat fuck john madden having a major tantrum, waving his fat arms, his long hair all over the place. HAHAHA fuck you, you fat fuck!!! What a scene!! What a memory!!

Postgame, chatham center parking garage, the guerilla from gerela's guerillas is parkekd behind us....and i fuckin swear to god, gets in his car, guerilla head still on, and drives off....bob bubonic....like the plague, i think, was his name.

Haha! Bob Bubanic or Bubonic? I could never remember how to spell his name. Gerela's Gorillas. Man. Memories.

Craig fucking Hanneman. As he was known briefly by my Grandpap. Rook. Never a Steel Curtain dude, out of football by 1975.

Stabler started the game actually but stunk up the joint. He was yanked after he tossed 3 INTs. I think Blanda came in and didn't do much better so they brought in Lamonica who was not able to get anything going against the Steel Curtain, until fucking Stabler comes back in, never known for his legs, runs 30 yards to take the lead.

I wrote previously about how one of my greatest joys in life was seeing the Fat Fuck John Madden go apoplectic every time the anniversary of the Immaculate Reception came up on MNF.

Good memories, Swiss, thanks bro!

[swissvale72]

Actually Mean Joe, just about certain was like I said, Lamonica started, Stabler came in 4Q. Blanda didn't show up in the boxscore. Couldn't find a play by play but Lamonica was 6 for 18, 2 picks, stabler 6 for 12, no picks.

Other memory is Bob Moore, tight end for the Raiders, trying to enter the Pittsburgh Hilton night before, which was being secured by the Pittsburgh Police....ended up getting beat over the head with a Pittsburgh PD billy club. Lol. Had his head wrapped pre-game.

[COR-TEN]

You guys are making me feel really old. Bubonic? Lamonica? Blanda?

WTF?

May as well talk about the four horsemen.

[Jobu]

Actually Mean Joe, just about certain was like I said, Lamonica started, Stabler came in 4Q. Blanda didn't show up in the boxscore. Couldn't find a play by play but Lamonica was 6 for 18, 2 picks, stabler 6 for 12, no picks.

Other memory is Bob Moore, tight end for the Raiders, trying to enter the Pittsburgh Hilton night before, which was being secured by the Pittsburgh Police....ended up getting beat over the head with a Pittsburgh PD billy club. Lol. Had his head wrapped pre-game.

Good times…good times!

[MJG75]

Actually Mean Joe, just about certain was like I said, Lamonica started, Stabler came in 4Q. Blanda didn't show up in the boxscore. Couldn't find a play by play but Lamonica was 6 for 18, 2 picks, stabler 6 for 12, no picks.

Other memory is Bob Moore, tight end for the Raiders, trying to enter the Pittsburgh Hilton night before, which was being secured by the Pittsburgh Police....ended up getting beat over the head with a Pittsburgh PD billy club. Lol. Had his head wrapped pre-game.

Yeah I think I got it mixed up. Blanda I think because he kicked the seemingly game-winning point, came up in my mind that he was in there somehow. It was Ham and Russell who picked off Lamonica, I think, and am I wrong but I thought he nearly tossed one or two more, that were just missed.

Hah, I do recall reading about that incident! Man those were some crazy times. I was showing a clip of the Immaculate Reception to some younger folks the other day and they were shocked that fans could just run out onto the field like that.

[Stallworth16]

The way the ball accelerated backwards guaranteed the ball hit Tatum, whether or not it hit Fuqua also does not matter for the rules in 1972, as long as it hit Tatum. They had physics professors confirm that the ball definitely contacted Tatum as B2B showed in the photo, and due to the backwards force.

The part I’ve always wondered about is did Franco catch the ball cleanly or did it touch the ground. I’m about 95% on the side that Franco caught the ball cleanly but it’s tough to tell from the grainy footage. Take a look:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tAeKjEeY3B0